Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-07-21
CRAWLING. MICHIGAN, THURSDAY, JULY q, 1887.

soonest women in the country, but some-
how this patient little woman seemed to
possess spell over him which no other be-
ing did.
He was first to break the silence.
"Betsy," he said, "what become o
Newt2"
ale married Kitty Winters long ago.
Their oldest girl was married last week"
@Then We didn't mean it1"
~Whatf"
"Ye didn't like Newt"
"He was good friend"
"Oh, dad blast it, yer know what mean
yer dint love him?"
SNo."
too late to mend yit. Betsy, are you will
linz"
"What do you mean?" she asked, trem-
bling q little. while her face was radiant
with n flame of glory.
"Yer be my wife. Now, let me know,
an settle it once furever. 1 axed We that
question nigh on 10 twenty years ago.
want the answer tonight, or I'll leave, never
10 come back"
Betsy knew the danger of attempting to
put him off, and said;
"Yes, Hamp, love you, have loved you
all these long years, and will never marry
another"
"Ye loved me then did yer"
"Yes."
"Why didn't We say so when 1 axed yer"
"Oh, it was so pleasant to coquet little,
you know, and see you get mad"
"Well, gal, don't rile me again, fur il
takes nigh on 10 twenty years fur me 10
cool Off"
Il will not answer you 80 any more,
Hamp," she said. trembling with Joy. IL
am older now, and all such girlish folly is
past"
"will ye be my wifes' he again asked.
"Yes."
"To-night2"
"Oh, it's too soon."
"No; it's now or never. Some un' said
Uncle Jonathan Knucklebone was a
Squire, and he'll tie the knot fur us right
now. What yer say2 l kin call my hoss
and leave in ten seckinds.
Betsy's face turned deathly pale. She
knew it would not do to trihe with her
lover, whom until within the last few min
| s1-..Pel.4- aha said, ---
"Then wait till this sets over, an it'll be
done. 1t won't take moren two or three
| minits."
Squire Knucklebone was at this moment
swinging about, in the giddy maze OF a
qundrille, pretty Polly Perkins, as gay as a
boy of eigh cen. To Hamp, who could not
brook delay, it seemed as if the quadrille
was never to end.
First four for d back agin, ALA man left,
balance all, all promenade, swing yer pard-
ner, all sas- shay" while to the lively tune OF
the squeaky old fiddle came the tramping
of ( ct. Uncle Jonathan's white head and
slightly bent form could be seen among
the others, whiring and fitting about.
When the "set" was over, and he led his
youthful partner in the dance to her seat,
the old Squire was almost out of breath.
"Hold on thar, Square," said Hamp
Flatmarsh, leading the blushing Betsy for
ward. "Afore ye sot down thars leetle
Job want yer to do, while we're all in the
notion. Nigh onto twenty vars ago this
gal an me he'd about come ter the conclu-
sion we'd trot in double harness; but by O
leetle misunderstanding the lead proved q
blind, an vamosed to prospect elsewhar.
We've got it all fixed up now, an ef yen
Jest say few words TO make us partners
fur life I'll be much obleeged ter ye, and
gin We and Aunt Tilda present o thou
sand dollars apiece"
A shout won't up from everybody, and II
was several moments before Uncle Jona-
than could sufficiently recover his compos-
ure to command the peace.
Order was at last restored, and then the
Squire, painting from his late exertions
said:
"Jine yer right hands"
They did SO, and in few moments thu
ceremony was completed.
"Now, il 1 hed'nt q ben sich dod
rotted fool this been done twenty var
ago." said Hamp.
"Thcts so. Uncle Jonathan, but tel
millions won't buy back them twenty var
o pleasure nm happiness might had wi
tho best woman on airth."
Betsy, who had been standing like on
stupefied evtr since her marriage, at thi
: threw her arms around her husbands necl
and burst into tears of Joy.
"Thar. then; thar, then, gal; don't TAX
; on any more, ur I'm sich a dod- blasted foo
! I'll slop over, too. ] wouldn't Civ ye fu
! all the mines in the Rockies; but let's no
stop the dance"
The dance went on, and when the guest
. began 10 go home early in Il Q mornin
they all took leave OF the bride and groom
: Aunt Tilda was the happiest of all. and o
she kissed the pretty bride she said:
"Ive Witnessed ,ometLiu' t'night that
begin ter fear d never see."
"What?" tie blus ing bride asked.
D "Betsy Camps weddn."